Machine for assembling fuses



NQV 3, 1942- M. c. RlcclARm 2,300,435

MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING FUSES Filed Aug. 6. 1941 3 Sheets-S1199?, 1

,5 El' g. 1

Mnuhgw 1:. Rinimdi BY www ATTORNEYS Nov. 3, 1942. M, C, R'lclARDl 2,300,435

MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING FUSES Filed Aug. 6. 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Mnuhgw c. Ricciardi BY M ifigpg a NOV 3, 42- M. c. mccmRm 2,300,435

MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING FUSES Y Filed Aug. e. 1941- s sheets-sheet s INVENTOR Mndhew E. Rcciumi Patented Nov. 3;, 1942 STATES PTET @FICE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) 1 Claim.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to an assembling machine and more particularly to a device for assembling two or more threaded parts.

An object of the invention is to provide a safe, reliable machin-e for rapidly assembling threaded articles and positively locking their engaging portions after the assembly operation.

A further object olf the invention is to provide a safe, fast machine for assembling threaded ordnance articles which are loaded with an explosive.

The specific nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will clearly appear from a description of a preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational View of the machine with parts broken away to show details of construction,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational View with parts in section showing the article holding xture, the staking mechanism, and the rotary chuck, A

Fig. 3 is a plan View of lthe article holding fixture and the staking mechanism with a portion cut away for clearer illustration,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation with parts in section of the reciprocating spindle mechanism for actuating the rotary chuck,

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the adjustable torque pulley, and

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the pulley with a portion cut away to show a locking screw.

Referring now to the drawings, a base I supports a vertical column 2 which carries a horizontal table 3 positioned at a yconvenient working height above the level of the floor. A rigid supporting arm 4 is attached to column 2 above the table 3. An electric motor l5 is adjustably mounted on arm 4, but is disposed to one side of table 3. Hung on column 2 below the motor 5 is f' a starting box 6 which contains a conventional safety switch. The motor 5 is connected to a source off power through the starting box 6. A switch operating lever l extends upwardly near the table 3 and is within convenient reach of the operator. The drive shaft of motor 5 is provided with an adjustable torque pulley 8 which is interconnected by a V-belt 9 with a multiple sheave I on the column 2.

t mi

The outer end of arm l has attached thereto a 55 pair of uprights II which support a fluid motor I2 on a horizontal plate I3, see Figs. 1 and 4. A reciprocating spindle I4 is connected to the operating piston I of the fluid motor I2 by a special coupling I'Ii which will be described lat-er. Spindle I4 carries a drive -sheave I 'l which is connected to the multiple sheave I0 by V-belt I8. The lower end of spindle I i `carries a rotary chuck I 9 which is adapted to be presented to a threaded work piece which is being assembled to another threaded member Zi. Chuck IS is equipped with suitable disks I9 of friction material.

Table 3 supports a work holdng fixture 22 and a tool slide or staking mechanism 23 (see Fig. 2) beneath the axis of spindle I4. The work holder 22 is actuated periodically to clarnp the work piece 2l by a cam plunger 24 which is influenced by a bracket 25 on the reciprocating spindle I 4. A fluid motor 26- suspended from the table 3 actuates the staking mechanism 2.3. .A pipe 2'I is suspended from table 3 directly below the work holder 22 and serves as an explosion chamber.

Valves 28 and 29 on the base I control the fluid motors I2 and 2S respectively. Conduits 3E) and 3l complete the fluid circuits between the valves and the motor mechanisms. Speed control valves- A(not shown) for regulating the iiow of uid may be employed in these conduits. A treadle 32 pivoted at 33 to a support 3G controls the valves 28 and Z9 and will be described more fully in another part of the specication. Valves 28 and 29 are connected in a convenient manner to a source of iluid pressure (not shown).

A guard 35 in the form of a flat metal band encloses the V-belt drive as shown in Fig. 1 and is attached to the arm 4 by a bracket 35 and to uprights I I by fasteners 3'I.

Fig. 5 illustratesa preferred form of the adjustable torque pulley 8. The driving element 38 is attached to the drive shaft of motor 5 by a pair of set screws 3S. The driven member dll rotates on the sleeve portion 4l of the driving element 3B and is separated from its flange 42 by a friction ring 43. A nut M is threaded on the sleeve portion 4I of driving element 38 and is separated from the driven member 4S by a friction ring 45. `The torque which may be delivered -by pulley 8 is regulated by adjusting screws which bear upon compression springs il in suitable bores 41 in the nut 45. The amount of pressure exerted by these springs on the friction disk assembly determines the slip and hence the maximum deliverable torque.

Sheave I1 on the reciprocating spindle I4 is driven by pulley 8 through belt 9, sheave IU. and

' 4 and carries the chuck I9.

va sleeve 63 which is free to rotate on spindle I4,

provide a running t which permits axial rela-` tive movement.`

The upper end of spindle I4 is journalled in coupling I6. The coupling I6 is an inverted cuplike member having a central stem 52 attached to its base 53. Stem 52 is attached to piston rod 54 in any convenient manner. The inner periphery of the cup is provided with an annular groove 55 which clamps a bearing race 55.

The .y

inner collar 51 of the race 55 envelopes a smooth shank 58 on a threaded stern 59 which is attached to the hollow internally threaded upper end 6|! of the spindle I4. Suitable nuts 6| and washers 62 lock the assembly together. The coupling IS permits the rotation of the spindle I 4 by the multiple sheave I1 and in addition allows the fluid motor |2- to reciprocate the spindle simultaneously. y

The lower end of spindle I4 projects below arm Above chuck I9 is see Fig. 2. Sleeve 63 has a flange portion 64 which is keyed to the spindle I4 by pins 65 which rest in an annular groove |56 in the spindle. The pin and groove assembly prevents 'axial movement between the sleeve 63 and the spindle I4 but does allow relative rotation. Clamped to the sleeve 33 by pins 61 is the bracket 25 having a bore 63 at the opposite extremity. Bore 68 receives the upper end of camplunger 24 in a running t. Collar 69 is secured to the top of plunger 24 by a set screw 1i) and enables the spindle I4 and bracket 25 to lift the plunger for a portion of the upward stroke.

Cam plunger 24 is composed of twovertically aligned sections coupled together by a cup-like collar 1| with an aperture 12 in its base. Shoulders 13 on the collar 1| engage the flange 14 on the lower plungerv section and a pin 1.5 is pressed fitted in diagonally disposed apertures 15in the collar 1|, bushing 11, and the lower end of the upper plunger component, see Fig. 2. An adjustable collar 18 is mounted on the upper cam plunger member above collar 1| and is secured by a set screw 13. A coiled 'spring 80 encircles the upper cam plunger component and rests on the adjustable collar 13. A clearance or gap exists between the base of bracket and the top of coiled spring 80 when the chuck is in its retracted position as shown in Fig. 2. This gap may be reduced by moving the `adjustable collar up on plunger 24 and clamping the collar in the desired position. This causes the bracket 25 to engage the spring 80 a little sooner on the' down stroke ofthe chuck I4. .l

The lower end of cam plunger 24 is received in a guide 8| mounted on the table 3. A portion of the periphery of plunger 24 is provided with an angular cam face 82 which is directed toward the work holder 22. Cam face 82 engages a roller 83 on a shaft 84 iixed to a sliding jaw 85. This jaw is adapted to reciprocate in a guide channel-36 in a xed block B1 which constitutes the immovable portion oi the work holder 22.

lBlock 81 rests on an apron extension 88 to the guide t I. Both the block and apron'are attached to the table 3' by suitable fasteners 89. The block 81 and apron 88 are provided with apertures 90 and 9| respectively which are disposed beneath the axis cf spindle I4 and in alignment therewith. Aperture 93 is somewhat larger than the work pieces 20 and 2| which are to be assembled and is shaped to receive them as shown in Fig. 2. A guide channel S2 is located in block 81 adjacent aperture Si] opposite guide channel 86 and receives the tool slide 23. Jaw has an arcuate engaging portion 93 conditioned to engage and clamp the lower Work piece 2| against rotation and downward movement in a manner to be presently described.

When cam plunger 24 descends, cam face 82 thrusts the roller 83 on the sliding jaw 85 to the left against the resistance of coil spring 94 in a bore 95 in the fixed block 81. Suicient downward movement of the plunger 24 will force the jaw 85 against the work piece 2| and clamp the work piece in the iixed block 81. The movement necessary to actuate jaw 85 can be regu-4 lated by the position of collar 18 on the plunger 24. Work piece 29 is free to rotate in aperture and may thereby be tightened on work piec 2 tby the iniluence of rotary chuck I9.

A staking pin 96 is press tted in a passage 91 in the tool slide 23 and is in alignment with an aperture 98 in the fixed block 81. Pin 96 is adapted to 'reciprocate in aperture 98. Slidey 23 has a roller 93 mounted von its left hand end'and the slide is normally held to the left by a pair of springs |28 resting in bores lil I. When the slide 23 is moved to the right against the resistance of springs ma, the staking pin 95 is forced into the previously clamped work piece 2|. I

Cam lever |22 is pivoted at |533 to the xed apron 68 on the table 3. Lever |92 is connected to a piston rod IM through a pin |95 and a slot IBS. Piston rod IEM is a divided member ofk adjustable length. Length adjustment is accomplished by a turnbuckle arrangement |91 between the two portions, see Fig. 1. Piston rod |34 is secured to the piston |98 of the lower fluid motor 2G. Upward movement of the pistonrod |04 rotates the cam lever |02 and forces the tool slide 23 and its staking pin 9S through the aperture 93 into the work piece 2|. Depth control of the staking device is accomplished by the turnbuckle arrangement |01.

Control valve 2B is opened to permitl iluid to act, on the top of piston I5 of fluid motor I2 when the treadle 32 is rocked clockwise to the position shown in Fig. l. This forces the spindle I4 and chuck I9 toward the work holdery l22. Treadle 32 has a cam face |23 which engages a roller |99 on a lever Iii) attached to avalve stem of the valve 23. A spring ||2 isa-ttached to the lever III) and to apin ||3 onthe support 34 and is adapted to return the lever and treadle to their normal positions when foot pressure is released. A stop pin H4 on the valve 28 limits the counterclockwise movement of the. lever III). When the lever I I is in engagementr with'the stop pin VIIlI, fluid pressure is applied to the under side of piston I5 and lifts the spin?` dle |4- and chuck I9 away from .the work holder 22 to the position shown in Fig. 2.

Coupled to the valve stem |I5 of valve 29 is` an operating lever I EB, ajroller II1, and a return spring Il. Stop IIS limits the clockwise movement of valve lever IIB. When the lever ISG engages the stop H9, fluid pressure is applied to the top cf piston |68 of motor 28 so that `the piston is in the bottom of its cylinderA as shown in Fig. 1. When the treadle 32 is swung counterclockwise, roller I I'I is engaged by the treadle, the valve lever IIB is depressed and valve 29 is actuated to reverse the ow of fluid and force piston |88 upward. When all presure is released from the treadle 32, the springs ||2 and IIS carry the levers II8 and I I6 against their respective stop pins ||4 and ||9 and the treadle 32 is returned to its normal position.

The operation of the device is as follows: The motor 5 is energized by closing the safety switch in the starting box 6 with the switch operating lever The motor is permitted to rotate throughout the entire period in which articles are to be assembled. Chuck I9 is rotated by the previously described V-belt drive. Work pieces Zwand 2| which were previouslyY manually start- Y ed into threaded engagement are placed in the aperture 98 of the work holder 22. At this time the members 28 and 2| rest loosely in the aperture 98 and the rotating chuck is .disposed as shown in Fig. 2.

When treadle 32 is rocked clockwise to a position as shown in Fig. l, lever arm IIl is swung away from stop I I4 and pressure is applied to the top of piston I5 of motor I3 and the rotating spindle I4 is actuated downward. Splineways 5I on the spindle I4 slide downward in the splined bore in the sheave 'Ihe sheave rotates on its bearing 48-58 and the upper end of the spindle rotates in the bearing race 56 in coupling I6.

As the chuck I9 approaches the work piece 28 in work holder 22 bracket 25 depends with it. The bracket comes into engagement with the coiled spring 79 on the cam plunger 24 and proceeds to compress it. When the spring 'I9 is sufciently compressed, force is transmitted to the cam plunger 24 through the collar I'I and the plunger descends in its guide 8|. The angular face 82 acting through roller 83 cams the sliding jaw 85 to the left against the resistance of spring 94. Jaw 85 engages the lower work piece 2| and forces it against the left wall of aperture 93 and holds it securely whereupon chuck I9 comes into engagement with the rotatable upper work piece 28. Chuck I9 proceeds to turn work piece into member 2| and tightens it thereto. When the components are tightened to the proper degree, slip occurs between the driving element 38 and the driven member 48 of the adjustable torque pulley 8. Chuck I9 ceases to rotate indicating to the operator that the threading operation is completed. The treadle 32 is swung counterclockwise and lever I|6 is depressed from its stop II9 whereupon uid pressure is applied to the bottom of piston |88. Piston |88 and its rod |84 move upward and rotate cam lever |82 about its horizontal pivot |13. Tool slide 23 which carries the staking pin 86 is forced to the right against the resistance of springs |88. Pin 96 sinks into the work piece 2| in its threaded zone and upsets a thread or threads thus positively locking the two components 2|) and 2| together.

When treadle 32 was swung counterclockwise to perform the staking operation, the valve 28 was reversed to start the piston I5 and the spindle upward. Cam plunger 24 does not immediately ascend since bracket on the spindle I4 remains in engagement with the loaded or previously compressed spring 19. Sufficient force is applied to the cam plunger 24 through the loaded spring 'I9 during the initial upward movement of the spindle I4 to retain the sliding jaw in clamping engagement with the work piece 2|. Thus the work piece 2| is securely held during the momentary staking operation by the pin 88.

When the staking operation is completed, the operators foot is removed from the treadle 32 or pressure is released therefrom and the springs |I2 and ||8 pull the valve levers I|0 and IIE against the stop pins I I4 and I I9 respectively. Chuck I9 and spindle I4 ascend and near the top' of the stroke, bracket 25 is separated from the spring 'I9 as shown in Fig. 2 and it lifts the H Y cam plunger 24 by the collar G9 on the upper end thereof. Jaw 85 is no longer cammed to the left and spring 94 forces the jaw away from the work piece 2 I. Tool holder 23 and the staking pin 91 are forced to the left or inoperative position by springs |00 when the piston |08 moves downward.

The assembled work pieces 28 and 2| may be removed and new components inserted in the work holder to be assembled in the manner previously described.

When componentsV which are loaded with explosives are being assembled, there exists the danger of a fortuitous explosion. Maximum protection is provided for the operator by employing the explosion chamber 21 beneath the aperture 98 and the work holder. The disruptive forces of the explosion are directed harmlessly into the chamber 21. Ordnance material such as fuses may be safely and successfully assembled in this machine.

The adjustable torque feature in the drive prevents the assembly of distorted or imperfectly threaded members.

It is evident from the above description that an operator may safely, quickly and accurately assemble threaded work pieces with a minimum amount of effort, thus increasing production and reducing fatigue.

I claim:

In a device for assembling a pair of threaded articles, a work holder having an article receiving aperture therethrough, clamping means for one of said articles and resilient means biasing said clamping means to open position, a shaft carrying a rotary chuck for driving the other of said articles, power means for advancing said chuck into driving engagement with said lastmentioned article and for withdrawing the same, cam means for operating said clamping means, resilient means on said cam means and means on said shaft to operate said cam means through said resilient means, whereby said cam means will lag said shaft and chuck on withdrawal, staking means in said holder positioned to seal the thread joint on the articles, power means and associated means to actuate the staking means, and interconnected control means for the chuck and staking means whereby the staking means is caused to function on withdrawal of said chuck but prior to opening of said clamping means.

MATTHEW C. RICCIARDI. 

